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Ask These Interview Questions to Hire the Best Talent

Posted March 10th, 2017

Hiring top talent is every company’s goal, and it’s also their biggest challenge. That’s because they are not only looking for someone with the experience and skills the position requires, they want someone who fits into their culture and helps their business to run smoothly.

When it comes to adding the right employees to your team, you need to ask the right questions during the interview. To know what the right questions are, you must determine what about your top talent makes them so invaluable. When you know what is working now, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’re looking for, and you can frame your questions around that.

Here are a few interview questions that could help you find your next top talent.

“Why is this job a good fit for you?”

This will help you understand the applicant’s motivation for wanting to work for your company. You’ll find out if the candidate is looking at immediate goals—a paycheck or a job closer to home—as opposed to a longer-term goal like building a career. The question will prompt your candidates to reveal their needs and what is driving them rather than asking “Why do you think you’re a good fit for this company?” which focuses on your organization’s needs. This question can show if you’re looking at a candidate who just wants a job or one who is hoping to develop a career.

“What was the best job you’ve had and why?”

When applicants answer this question, they will tell you what worked for them in the past. And from that, you can discern whether they will be a good fit for the job opening and your company’s culture. You could ask them directly “What makes you productive and happy?” but the indirect question will yield more answers:

How they like to work—alone or with a team

What kind of workplace environment they prefer

How they feel about a manager’s input into their work

In other words, you’ll find out what makes them tick.

“What do you do when you’re not working?”

If you’re looking for someone who leads a balanced life, this question will determine if you’ve found the right person. Since maintaining a balance between personal and professional life is vital for success, it’s important to know if your candidates are into fitness activities, building relationships and taking advantage of opportunities to learn.

Find the best candidates quickly

Trying to find the right candidate can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. When you work with a staffing company, they can provide you with their expertise and connections, while saving you time and money on your candidate search. For more information on working with a staffing company, or to get started with a reputable one today, contact us.